405982017-09-16Development of stainless steel gas electron multipliersCompletedOct 2015Sep 2016<p>We will develop gas electron multipliers GEMs) that are robust in negative ion gas to improve the sensitivity of X-ray Polarimeters.</p> <p>We will develop a technique for fabricating GEMs that will both maintain the required spacing over arbitrarily large areas and be self-aligning. It will be based on separating two tensioned foils.</p><p>We will establish the foil tensioning technique and the optimum spacing between the foils.&nbsp;</p><ul><li>When the process is finalized, we will formalize the foil tensioning technique and measure creep, temperature stability and flatness using methods established for GEM testing.</li><li>Finally we will assemble a 3x7 cm<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;GEM that will be integrated into a polarimeter and we will measure the gain uniformity over the area of the GEM.</li></ul><p>Improves the sensitivity of exsiting polarimeters by ~ factor of 3.</p>03432468Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems32998.1Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors38178.1.1Detectors and Focal PlanesCenter Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRADMission Support DirectorateGoddard Space Flight CenterGSFCNASA CenterGreenbeltMDMarylandStan HunterJoanne E Hill-kittlehttp://sciences.gsfc.nasa.gov/sed/27964Development of stainless steel gas electron multipliers ProjectImageDevelopment of stainless steel gas electron multipliers Project19298https://techport.nasa.gov/file/19298201225